New Jersey Baby Killed When Light Pole Falls on Stroller

Eight-month-old Angelie Paredes was killed when a shuttle bus struck a light pole, which then fell on her stroller, on a sidewalk in West New York, New Jersey.

Seven other people were injured when the bus veered off the street and hit first one pole, then another pole, and then a parked car that was pushed into three other vehicles. Angelie’s mother was not among the injured.

The bus driver, Idowu Daramola, 48, of Thornwood, New York was allegedly speeding at the time of the accident. He was charged with offenses including death by auto, reckless driving, and using a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle. He is being held on $250,000 bail.

The bus was operated by Sphinx Transportation. Daramola had been employed by the company for two years.

Daramola had numerous previous traffic charges, including open warrants for traffic offenses. He had failed to appear in court to answer outstanding warrants for speeding, improperly letting off passengers, and failing to stop at a stop sign in 2011, plus running a red light in 2012.

Most of Daramola’s bus driving took place in New Jersey, although he is a resident of New York and licensed in New York.

His New Jersey license was suspended when he failed to appear in court on one of his traffic violations. This should have resulted in a notice to the New York Department of Motor Vehicles, but apparently it did not. There are no accidents or traffic violations listed on Daramola’s New York license.

One issue may be that Daramola’s first name is spelled incorrectly on the arrest warrant that led to the suspension of his New Jersey driving privileges.

However, even if New York had been properly notified about Daramola’s driving infractions and outstanding warrants, it’s not clear that New York would have suspended his license.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a vehicle accident, including an accident caused by a driver who was speeding or texting, contact an experienced New Jersey personal injury attorney at the Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Hasson, P.C.